Pochettino gives Nkunku secret instruction and is furious with Palmer decision in Chelsea win
Moments missed from Chelsea's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final with the Blues converting all of their four spot-kicks
That felt big. There have not been too many moments since Mauricio Pochettino took the head coach role at Chelsea that felt like that.
All of the Chelsea players, in the squad or absent through injury, were gathered near the dugout as the Blues kicked towards the Shed End, that was full to the brim of Newcastle United supporters. The Magpies won the toss so chose to kick in front of their own fans, who were doing their desperate best to try and distract the brave Chelsea players who were taking responsibility from 12 yards.
It did not faze them, though – not one bit. First up was Cole Palmer, the man who had taken, and scored, six penalties this season leading up to this moment. The England international stood up to the challenge and briefly silenced those behind the goal with a calm penalty.
Next up was Conor Gallagher. The captain on the night had put in a typically non-stop, but equally superb, performance for the Blues over the course of the 90 minutes and he emphatically dispatched his penalty past a helpless Martin Dubravka.
Then it was the big moment. Just 30-or-so minutes before this, Christopher Nkunku came on for his competitive debut for Chelsea – almost six months to the day after he signed from RB Leipzig for £52million.
Pochettino warned supporters not to put too much pressure on the returning Nkunkuafter months out on the sidelines with a knee injury, but he showed no signs of rustiness from 12 yards. He coolly placed the ball past Dubravka and it was advantage Chelsea after Kieran Trippier shot wide just moments before.
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Then it was time for the man of the moment, Mykhailo Mudryk, who scored that late and dramatic equaliser to get Chelsea in this position. Despite the away end's best efforts, they could not distract Mudryk from the task at hand and the Ukraine international finished beautifully to all but send the Blues through.
It was then the big moment for Djordje Petrovic. A moment he would have dreamed about when making the move from New England Revolution over the summer transfer window.
Petrovic guessed right and pulled off a tremendous save to deny Matt Ritchie and send Chelsea into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, a competition they have won five times. With all that being said,football.london takes a look at some moments you may have missed from a dramatic night at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino left furious with Palmer decision
Palmer has been an absolute revelation since signing from Manchester City on deadline day. With six goals and five assists in all competitions, the 22-year-old has quickly established himself as Chelsea's biggest attacking threat, but one decision from the midfielder left Pochettino furious on the touchline.
On about 22 minutes, Palmer fancied his chances from long range and tested Dubravka, but it was straightforward for the Newcastle goalkeeper. With the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling in space to pass it to, Pochettino was left unimpressed with his attacker's decision-making.
The Chelsea head coach quickly turned around towards his bench and kicked the air, with a very frustrated look on his face. Pochettino also shouted something, although it was unclear what exactly he said.
Either way, Palmer made more than amends in the end. His penalty, the first in the shootout, sent Chelsea on their way.
Pochettino passes Nkunku secret instructions
It felt like a big moment when Nkunku was introduced in the second half. Chelsea supporters had been waiting so long for that exact moment and unsurprisingly, it gave the stadium a massive boost.
Nkunku replaced Jackson and played as Chelsea's centre-forward. But there was more to Pochettino's tactical plan, although he made a special effort to make sure it was not clear to anyone else.
As spotted from the press seating area, one of Pochettino's backroom staff, unclear who from our position, handed Nkunku a note, which the France international then placed under his glove. We did not see who he passed it onto, but it is safe to assume he had been told to give the note to one of his teammates to communicate instructions.
Pochettino's role in Mudryk goal
Malo Gusto did a very good job when he came on for Chelsea in the second half.Gusto, who has recently returned from injury, was given the Reece James role on the right-hand side.
Essentially, his job was to keep delivering crosses into the box and try to pick out his teammates. Although the cross for Mudryk's goal did not directly find the winger, it was a dangerous ball that forced a costly mistake from Trippier.
In the build-up to that goal, Pochettino played a huge role. Gusto was tucking into the middle when the ball was out on the left-hand side, but Pochettino pointed with his hands for the right-back to stay out on the wing.
It then made its way to Gusto on the right side, he crossed the ball and the rest is history. Pochettino envisaged that moment just as it played out
